Deborah A. Burgess, 80
Dateline: Norton, MA
Deborah A. (Wills) Burgess, age 80, of the Chartley section of Norton, passed away in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her loving family on Monday, September 19, 2022. She was the beloved wife of Retired Norton Fire Chief George F. Burgess, to whom she was wed for fifty-nine years.
Born in Attleboro, MA on July 10, 1942, she was a loving daughter of the late William and Celia (VanHoesen) Wills.
Debbie grew up in Foxborough, was a 1960 graduate of Foxborough High School and a 1964 Cum Laude graduate of Wheaton College. Later, in 1982, she graduated with a Degree in Nursing from Rhode Community College.
A fifty-nine-year resident of Norton, Mrs. Burgess first taught in the Norton Public School System and was later employed helping others as a registered nurse, a job she truly loved. She was an active member of the Chartley United Methodist Church, where she served as a Den Mother for Cub Scout Pack 27 and was also a former member of the Board of Directors at the Daggett-Crandall-Newcomb Home in Norton.
Debbie’s family always came first, and she was ever-so-proud of their many accomplishments. Her hobbies included traveling and camping, especially at Dolly Copp Campground in the beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire. Her legacy will live on forever in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her devoted sons: Norton Firefighter Edward L. Burgess and his wife Jane of Norton, Mansfield Fire Captain William H. Burgess and his wife Judy of Norton, and Norton Fire Lieutenant Andrew V. Burgess and his longtime companion Gina Brasil of Norton. She was the cherished grandmother of Sarah, Emily, Rachel, Kelsie, Meghan, Jacob, Ben, Will and Grace. She was the dear sister of Joan Westcott and her husband David of Maine, Peter Wills and his wife Maureen of Maine and the late Raymond Wills, who is survived by his wife Barbara Wills of Foxborough. She was the much loved sister-in-law of Joanne Lund of Norton and is also survived by her best four-legged friend “Mac”, as well and her many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visiting hours on Monday, September 26th from 2:00-5:00 P.M. at the Norton Memorial Funeral Home, 19 Clapp Street (Off Route 140, Taunton Avenue) Norton.
A service in celebration of her life will be held at the conclusion of services on Monday at 5:00 P.M. in the funeral home. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, Debbie’s family has requested that donations in her memory be made to the Chartley United Methodist Church, 78 South Worcester Street, Norton, MA 02766.
To send her family a message of condolence, please visit www.nortonmemorial.com